One Unchanging Mediator for All

1Timothy 2:5-6 - For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all.

Wow, what a statement. What a clear statement. Jesus is no more than a prayer away. A prayer is defined as worship. Why would we want to worship someone other than God? If we are married, is there anyone else we go to or through to talk to our spouse? Do we, for the most part, talk to their brother or sister or parent to convey a message to them? That's what personal relationship is all about. And that's what God wants...a personal relationship with us, like He had with Adam and Eve before the fall...to walk with them and communicate with them. And this is not for some, but all.

When we are ready for this relationship we ask with our whole heart. We go to the throne of God, through the power of Jesus Christ. This is the simplicity of who Jesus is. He is not complicated but sometimes we like to make this whole issue complicated.

John 6:37 - the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. This clearly tells us to go straight to Jesus. John 14:6 - I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by Me. Here's another clear statement. It's all by way of Jesus. No man on earth can take His place. In fact the first and second commandments tell us that anyone or anything that comes before Him is a sin. 

Nowhere in scripture does it tell us that there is anyone else we can go to to approach God. I once had a neighbor say that Jesus is too busy to listen to our prayers. I was so unable to comment. I'd never heard that before. He is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent. He knows all things at all times in all people all at the same time. Nothing is too small or too unimportant that He doesn't have time to tend to our issues. He's no more than a prayer away, a word away, even a thought away since He knows all things.  Listen to what Psalm 139:1-2 tells us: O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. This sounds like a 24/7/365 God. 

If we could just allow our minds to comprehend the greatness of God. He's greater than anyone, anything. I think the problem is not being able to wrap our minds around the idea He could be just what each of us needs Him to be in our lives. Maybe it's a case of not feeling worthy enough for His attention to the details of our life. But that's exactly in what He wants to be--every detail of our life.  Psalm 37:23 shows us that...The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives. 

We heard over Christmas that Emmanuel, another name for Jesus, means God with us. God sent His son to earth to be with us, not near us, not too busy, not elusive and only accessible through some other means. He can be as close as in your own heart if you choose. There is no one greater than He, no one can represent Him, replace Him or be a substitute for Him. It's Jesus and Jesus alone.

God is our portion. Psalm 73:26 tells us that. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. God and God alone...and God is Jesus. Nothing can take His place. If only the barrier that keeps this realization would be torn down, eyes unveiled, hearts open to receive and minds willing to receive this revelation.

Revelation 3:20 - Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him. The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth. The Bible is very clear who it is we are to call upon, go to, seek. Jesus is the one who is to be lifted up in our churches. It is Jesus who saves. It is He who is the only Truth. It is Jesus we are to worship. It is Jesus who is our Mediator. When I picture Jesus as the center of my life it automatically paints a picture in my mind's eye of seeing Him in that role of Mediator, standing between ourselves and the Almighty God. 

All throughout the Bible are examples of people going directly to Jesus for help: a leper in Matthew 8:2; the Roman centurion who searched for Jesus to heal his servant in Luke 7; the woman with an issue of blood who literally crawled to touch the hem of His garment (Luke 8); Mary and Martha, sisters of ailing Lazarus (John 11). These people had faith that He could do what He said He could. Some might say that was then and it doesn't apply today. But the Word tells us that He never changes, He remains the same; only He is steadfast. I'm sticking with that story!

James 1:17 - Every best gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change nor shadow of alteration.